Frankie’s rewarded for approach to sustainability and fair trade

Frankie’s Fish & Chips has scored top marks for its sustainable fish and fair trade buying policies from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA).

The takeaway and restaurant in Brae, Shetland, retained its maximum Three Star Food Made Good rating from the SRA, “an exceptional achievement”, according to the association.

Frankie’s 100 per cent scores in both the sustainable fish and fair trade categories were highlighted in the Food Made Good report.

“This is attributed to Frankie's Fish & Chips ensuring that 98% of the fish on its menu are MSC certified, ensuring that its suppliers are aware of its fish buying policy, and for sourcing coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar that is produced to standards that incorporate fair trade criteria,” the assessment says.

“The SRA also commends Frankie's Fish & Chips for purchasing vegetables from British farms for the majority of the year, and for supplementing this with produce from its own garden when available.”

The SRA helps restaurants source food more sustainably, manage resources more efficiently and work more closely with their communities.

Frankie’s manager John Gold said: “Ninety-eight per cent of the fish we sell comes from sustainable stocks, with our haddock, mussels, scallops and crab all MSC-accredited.

“We are also very pleased that the SRA has recognised our efforts when it comes to fair trade. These things are important to us and to our customers.

“There are of course areas where we can still improve, and we will be working with the SRA to do just that for the rest of this year and beyond.”

Frankie’s also scored high marks for treating people fairly, thanks to its comprehensive training scheme for staff, visits to fish and shellfish producers and encouraging staff to take part in its charity cycle sportive.

Meanwhile, Frankie’s has also retained its Taste Our Best award from the national tourism body VisitScotland in recognition of its promotion of local food produce.